David Gelston

Gelston was born on July 4, 1744, in Bridgehampton in Suffolk County on Long Island in what was then the Province of New York. ==Career==

As the American Revolution approached, Gelston became politically active. He signed the Articles of Association in 1774, agreeing to avoid British imports, even though this hurt his own business. He represented Suffolk County in the New York Provincial Congress of 1775 to 1777, as well as the 1777 New York State Constitutional Convention that debated and enacted the first constitution of the State of New York. He was a Democratic-Republican and he worked closely with Aaron Burr. He was a member from Suffolk County of the New York State Assembly from 1777 to 1785. During his last term, he was Speaker. As speaker, he took a leading role in reconciling the differences between Tory and Whig factions. He oversaw the repeal of all the laws that had imposed civil and legal penalties on Tories. ==Personal life==

Gelston was married to Pheobe Mitchell (1753–1836). Together, they were the parents of: • Pheobe Gelston (1771–1836), who married Nicoll Floyd, the son of William Floyd. who was a member of the New York State Assembly and who served as president of the Bank of the Manhattan Company. It was during 1792, that Charles Willson Peale was commissioned by Gelston, a notable American during the time, to paint a "head size" portrait of Gelston as well as a companion piece of his wife and daughter. This painting is currently displayed at the La Salle Art Museum. Gelston died on August 21, 1828, in New York City. He was buried in the First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in New York. ==References==